The name came from a combination of the two winemakers’ middle names. Dyson Paul DeMara and Scott O’Brien Kelley met while working at Robert Mondavi Winery in the Napa Valley 20 years ago. With more than 60 years of experience between them, across 6 countries and 4 continents, it is no surprise this is aContinue reading “Paul O’Brian Winery. Oregon Territory Pinot Noir 2020”
Category Archives: American Wines
Talbott Vineyards & Kamee Knutson Do It Again!
I got to taste all the new Sleepy Hollow Vineyard wines. The vineyards are located in the Northern section of the Santa Lucia Highlands ‘valley’ and spread across three sites, aptly named Sleepy Hollow North, West, and South. Two things should be noted about these unique sites, first, as you head south towards Paso RoblesContinue reading “Talbott Vineyards & Kamee Knutson Do It Again!”
‘The Mariner’ Never Fails to Impress. Dry Creek Vineyards does it again.
Dry Creek Vineyards ‘The Mariner’ 2019 This is a blend of 61% Cabernet, 18% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cab Franc, all sourced from their own Dry Creek Vineyards in Northern Sonoma. The Mariner had its initial launch in 2007 with the release of its 2004 vintage and was well received withContinue reading “‘The Mariner’ Never Fails to Impress. Dry Creek Vineyards does it again.”
Parducci Winery – Italian Heritage, Mendocino Grown.
These wines could just be the most value-driven wines you drink all year. Parducci Wines’s journey started back in 1912 with a 16-year-old stowaway from Italy. Early efforts were tough going, constructing the winery with no electricity or tractors- everything was done by hand. Their early ‘bottling plant’ consisted of hoses and corks pounded inContinue reading “Parducci Winery – Italian Heritage, Mendocino Grown.”
More Santa Rita Magic- Rancho Las Hermanas Winery
Rancho Las Hermanas Winery 0r RLH for short. Rancho Las Hermanas is a north-facing ranch covering almost 600 acres, with just over 200 acres of grapevines planted, and 40 acres of avocado trees along the upper ridgelines. The ranch is steeped in history being part of the original Mexican Land Grant in 1837 called RanchoContinue reading “More Santa Rita Magic- Rancho Las Hermanas Winery”
Red Mountain AVA and Cabernet Sauvignon.
As a wine-growing region, Red Mountain was ‘discovered’ in 1972 but the essentials such as roads, power, and water did not make their appearance until 1975, and after much effort, the first 10 acres of vineyards were planted by John Williams and Jim Holmes. Fast forward to 1980 when the first winery was bonded- KionaContinue reading “Red Mountain AVA and Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Two California Cabernets you can afford to drink at Christmas without breaking the bank.
Mac and Billy Cellars M Cabernet 2021 – Paso Robles. This blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah comes from a collaboration of McPrice “Mac” Myers and Billy Grant- two heavy hitters from the Paso region, who believe in sun, soil, and grit to make great wine. “M is aContinue reading “Two California Cabernets you can afford to drink at Christmas without breaking the bank. “
It’s National Zinfandel Day tomorrow, or is it?
Is the third Wednesday in November which would be the 15th. Somehow it got shifted to the 17th … something about a conflict with Beaujolais Nouveau Day, although that is always on the third Thursday of November. Confusion aside for a minute … The Crljenak Kaštelanski grape, which translates to “the red from Kaštela”Continue reading “It’s National Zinfandel Day tomorrow, or is it?”
Two California Gems.
Nick Goldschmidt, the winemaker is truly an international winemaker. Born in New Zealand, and raised in Australia, he became, arguably the first ‘flying winemaker’. He starts his year making wine in Barossa, in South Australia, them flying to California to make wine, then on to Argentina to round the year out. His schedule is aContinue reading “Two California Gems.”
Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.
In my day job I get to taste some really interesting wines, some great, some OK, and some that just make me smile from the first sip. These are three of them. Paul Hobbs is the man behind this impressive Chardonnay made from predominately estate-grown fruit totally from Sonoma Coast and Sonoma County- two wineContinue reading “Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.”
Vine to Table 